When the blazing sun sank beneath the horizon and night wrapped the realm in shadows, the appointed hour arrived. The maiden messenger came unto Zal, bringing tidings that all was prepared. The valiant prince turned his steps toward the palace of Kabul, his heart burning with eager desire. Above upon the high battlements appeared the dark-eyed beauty, poised like a graceful cypress beneath the full moon. Seeing the knight beneath her wall, her ruby lips parted in welcome: 'May the blessings of the Creator of the World rest upon thee, noble youth! Welcome to this house.'
Then did Rudabeh loosen the fragrant coils of her long hair—a cascading rope of pure jet, twisting like serpents over her pomegranate cheeks. She cried out down the ramparts: 'Reach forth thy hands, O champion, and grasp these black locks! Climb up unto me, for they are thine!' Yet Zal gazed upon her beauty with awe and answered: 'Never shall I harm so precious a life, nor put stress upon thy delicate tresses.' Instead, he cast his own lasso of woven leather, catching the battlements above, and scaled the wall with effortless strength.
Reaching the parapet, he took her hand in his. Hand in hand, like figures enchanted, they descended into a golden, illuminated hall—a paradise adorned with radiant lights, surrounded by serving maidens. Zal stood spellbound by her majesty, her cheeks like tulip petals upon jasmine, wrapped in jewels, crown, and armlets. Zal sat beside her in all his kingly splendor, a ruby crown upon his brow and a dagger at his side.
Throughout the night they tasted the sweetness of love and devotion, yet bound by noble restraint. Zal confessed his fear: 'If King Manuchehr and my father Sam learn of this, their wrath will ignite like fire. Yet I hold my body and soul cheap compared to thee; I swear before the righteous Judge that I shall never break my oath, and I shall pray until God softens their hearts.' Rudabeh likewise bound herself by sacred oath, declaring that no man under heaven should ever be her lord save Zal of the White Hair. Thus they pledged their souls until the golden dawn broke, the morning drums echoed from the pavilion, and Zal descended the high walls by his rope.